Toll Hike At Odds With Corbett No Tax-Hike Policy?

"HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett has repeatedly stated his staunch opposition to increasing taxes or fees, but five Pennsylvania gubernatorial appointees to a two-state agency voted earlier this week to sharply increase tolls on seven Delaware River bridges.

Half the 10-member board of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission serves at Corbett's pleasure, and all five of the Pennsylvania appointees were put on the commission by Corbett's Democratic predecessor, Ed Rendell. Corbett's office on Thursday did not provide any comment on Monday's vote, which seems to fly in the face of the Republican governor's opposition to increasing taxes and fees.

A commission spokesman said the decision is projected to increase annual revenues from $89 million to $113 million, or by about 27 percent. The new rate schedule will boost passenger vehicle tolls from 75 cents to $1 when it takes effect July 1. Truck tolls will rise by 75 cents per axle, or from $2.50 to $3.25 for non-pickup two-axle trucks. Without the higher tolls, the agency's bond rating would have been jeopardized, potentially affecting its ability to pursue capital projects, commission spokesman Pete Peterson said.

One of the Pennsylvania commission members, Melissa Heller, declined to comment. Phone messages were left for the other four.

The agency, founded in 1934, operates toll bridges connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey: Interstate 78, Interstate 80, Easton-Phillipsburg, Portland-Columbia, Milford-Montague, New Hope-Lambertville, and Morrisville-Trenton. It also has 13 bridges that are not tolled, including two for pedestrians only.

The commission's previous most recent toll increase, for trucks, took effect four years ago."

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